Making Art Happen

A program brought to you by the Smithville Public Library, the Richard D. Latham Cultural District, and the National Endowment for the Arts

This project’s central idea to use public art to help build community and bridge what divides us. As a community, we will collaborate during several picnics that will bring neighbors together to talk about what is important and what makes Smithville interesting and unique, and use that information to create signage to take people to important locations, to create public art installations, and to create a mural to be installed at the DAEP—the metal school building (bus barn/Tiger Academy) on SH 95 where Loop 230 intersects. We need YOUR HELP to decide who, what, and how to find and celebrate Smithville’s important historic and cultural assets.

For more information about the project or to share your opinion:

Clover Cochran: abcsmithvilletx@gmail.com

Jill Strube: 512-237-3282 x 2109 / jstrube@ci.smithville.tx.us

Judy Bergeron: 512-237-3282 X 2401 / jbergeron@ci.smithville.tx.us

Call to artists for artist participation in the Art Placement portion of the ABC, Arts Bridging Community, NEA grant!

The Due Date is March 23, so we have set up a meeting to help.

On Thursday March 15, Clover Cochran, Project Coordinator, will meet with as many artists who have time to join for a meeting to discuss what is being sought with your proposals.

In 2016, the Richard D. Latham Cultural District began a Sculpture on Main program with financial assistance from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Smithville, the Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance, and Keep Smithville Beautiful (a committee of the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce). The SOM unveiled the sculptures during the Summit Smithville Green Expo on February 18, 2017. Smithville will be happy to showcase these sculptures throughout the year. We thank all the artists who have participated in this inaugural program.

First Prize: “Mom’s Day Off” by Maria Montoya Hohenstein

Second Prize: “Double Sided Waterfall” by Stephanie Shroyer

Third Prize: “Ocotillo Grande” by Hiram Walker

For more information about the artwork or about purchasing a sculpture, please contact Jill Strube: 512 237 3282 x 2109
(Price List and Sculpture Details: SmithvilleSOM_2017_Sculpture_Details)

Hiram Irwin Walker, Jr. died of natural causes Feb. 24, 2017 in La Grange at the age of 61. His wife of 41 years, Grace Walther Walker is also an accomplished artist and an extremely close companion to Hiram, often assisting in his work. Together they came up with works of fantastical creative expression through a variety of media. Hiram had many skills and interests and was able to combine them to create whimsical sculptures of all sizes. He was larger than life, kind, and generous, with an exhilarating love for his wife. The artistic community will truly miss him. It is with great honor and humility that the SOM program displays his works on Main Street.

The 2017-18 Sculpture on Main program will begin accepting applications in October 2017. All sculptors are welcome to apply. The non-refundable entry fee is $25 for the first entry, and $10 each for up to two additional entries by any individual artist (for a maximum of three entries at $45). Selected artists will receive a $250 stipend to transport their work. Please return to this website for more information and for the application file. PLEASE NOTE: All sculptures will be required to be affixed to the pedestals provided: SmithvilleSOMPedestalInfo.

Where Art Happens in Smithville

The Mary Nichols Art Center works with local schools and offers art and music lessons to the public.

Art classes for youth are available on Friday evenings. Heidi Little (Ambassador/Co-Founder/Director/Platform designer at International Children’s Month) teaches these classes each week. Be creative at the Mary Nichols’ Art Center at 301 Burleson!

Performing Arts:

Join in on the Action! Or sit in the audience and have a great time. New to acting? Playhouse Smithville is a great community theater to get started.

Smithville’s local foundry brings statues to life. Owner Steven Zabel graduated from Smithville High School, and is giving back to his community in a big way as his company flourishes and he is able to add jobs to our area.